BRANFORD >> An ordinance that would require Stony Creek Village District property owners seeking to make certain additions or building accommodations to go before a review board was unanimously passed by the Representative Town Meeting Rules and Ordinance Committee Thursday night.

“This puts a seal on something that’s already in place,” said committee Chairman Robin Sandler. “It sets up a mechanism for regulations that are currently in place to have a board appointed by the Board of Selectmen that will be the filter for any plans that go to the P and Z.”

“It only affects people within the Stony Creek Village district,” Sandler said.

According to the ordinance, the Stony Creek Architectural Review Board will consist of five members, appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Three of the members will be from Stony Creek and two can be from anywhere in town, and one must be a registered architect or certified planner.

Not everyone looking to expand their property will need to go through the new board, only those looking to build past 3,500 square feet. Sandler said, the new ordinance does not change any regulations regarding the building of property.

“The regulations are the same that have been in place since 2014, under Planning and Zoning, and have been carried out by three volunteers,” Sandler said.

Betsy Wieland, former board member of the Stony Creek Association, spoke in favor of the ordinance at Thursday’s meeting.

“The intent is to preserve the unique character of the village, manage portions and size of the structure as people come and either tear down or add on to properties,” Weiland said.

According to Weiland, the creation of the board has been six years in the making. After many meetings, discussions and workshops, the Stony Creek Association voted in favor 4-6.

“Other towns have done this. It can be the first place that people can go to with their plans; it’s free advice, and it can be very helpful,” Weiland said. “People moving into the Creek, it gives them a sense of what the Creek is about.”

RTM member James Walker said he was “opposed to this from the get-go.”

“It’s another layer, another level of regulation,” he said. “I didn’t think that five people should be the arbiters of good taste.”

But given that the idea for the board was approved by the Stoney Creek Association, which “speaks for the village,” he voted in favor “because its what the community wants.”

To facilitate an informal review, property owners must submit, at minimum, a site plan, schematic plan, sketches, photos and sample materials. For a formal review, the same is needed and much more, such as site plans, lighting, architectural design and landscaping.

After reviewing submissions, the Stony Creek Architectural Review Board must make a written recommendation within 35 days of receiving an application. There are four recommendations the board can make to Planning and Zoning: to accept as submitted; to accept with modifications; to deny and request revision; or to make no action pending further discussion and resubmit.

“They cannot approve or deny any application, they are simply there to make a recommendation to P and Z,” Sandler noted. “Planning and Zoning will be the ultimate decider.”

The Rules and Ordinance Committee will present the proposed ordinance to the full Representative Town Meeting next month.